Chapter 236: Choosing Gifts

Before the long four Quidditch Competition Weeks arrive, we can still make one trip to Hogsmeade Village this semester.

When the Quidditch season ends, it's Christmas.

This Hogsmode Week, John and his little companions agreed to go to the Secret Base together, and then from the Secret Base to Hogsmeade Village.

Early in the morning, the students bound for Hogsmeade Village hadn't departed yet, and they arrived near the Beating Willow.

John also swiped the Big Orange from Hermione.

After all, the Big Orange is also a member of their Secret Base!

After several months.

The Secret Base gathered another layer of dust.

A few of them simply used a Magic Spell to sweep it, and only then did the familiar feeling return.

"Hey hey hey, brothers, look what I brought!"

After cleaning up the room, John pulled several miniature pieces of furniture from his backpack.

These are all fine furniture he retrieved from the Wish-Granting House.

An oak desk, a genuine leather sofa, a super‑large bed, and some beautiful decorations.

He simply waved his hand, shrinking the old bed, broken sofa, and broken table that were in the corner.

Then he replaced them with the new furniture he brought.

"Whoa, you robbed the Headmaster's Office?"

Titus and the others, watching this scene, exclaimed in surprise.

"No chance for that right now; if there's a chance, I'll try robbing it."

John said this with a hint of regret.

Looking at the room's mismatched furniture and various decorations.

This place is hardly any worse than Hogwarts' common room.

The few of them merrily played with this and that.

John then put the old furniture back—uh, back into his bag, waiting to return to school to drop them at the Wish-Granting House.

They're all antique furniture, let's not trash each other.

Perhaps the furniture in Professor Lupin's place ten years ago was also taken out by Dumbledore from the Wish-Granting House.

"It's about time; the school folks should have all arrived at Hogsmeade Village by now."

"Let's set off too."

"OK."

The few of them arrived together on the first floor.

This sealed door had already been opened by John earlier.

The Door Hinge let out a creak like a stretch after waking, and the few of them slyly peeked their heads out from the crack.

After confirming no one was around, they slipped out in single file.

The few of them ran, stepping on snow toward Hogsmeade Village.

Sure enough, on the outskirts of Hogsmeade Village, they spotted a group of Hogwarts students.

So they naturally blended in and got in.

Then they headed together toward the Soko Joke Shop.

Last time, because John wasn't there, they didn't go.

This time the few of them can go there to see what's new.

Although the Weasley twins are now selling their joke gadgets all over the school, they heard some items are still in the experimental stage, so they haven't patronized them.

Just as the few of them were having fun, elsewhere.

Hermione, planning to go to the Three Broomsticks, passed by Madam Pa Di Fu's tea house.

This tea house is famous among Hogwarts couples.

Those who come here are all couples.

Under the warm yellow light in the display window, several couples sit together sipping Hot cocoa and eating sugar‑frosted cookies.

Occasionally, a little Cupid‑dressed love deity sprinkles sugar inside the shop.

Her steps falter slightly, her face looking either frost‑red or something.

Looking at the couples inside, she thought of John.

Unfortunately, John said he had to accompany his friends today, so she didn't forcefully pull John along.

Otherwise the two of them could have had tea in the tea house...

At that moment.

"Meow~"

"Hm? Kruk Mountain? Why are you here?"

The absent‑minded Hermione felt a fluffy tail tip lightly brush her calf.

Looking down, wasn't it her cat?

Hermione crouched, picked up Kruk Mountain, rubbed its furry head, then asked.

"How did you sneak here?"

"Meow~"

Kruk Mountain lay in Hermione's arms, meowing nonstop, as if accusing.

Hermione tilted her head.

She immediately guessed the reason Kruk Mountain was here.

"Is it John who took you to the Screaming Shack?"

Meow.

"And then they left you there alone, right?"

Meow.

"Fine, Kruk Mountain, lead the way, I'll vent my anger for you."

Meow!

Hermione placed Kruk Mountain back on the ground, its tail standing high, and it strutted toward the village, treading cat‑like steps.

"John, what are you looking at?"

"Awo, I'm thinking of buying something as a little gift for Hermione."

John and his companions, after leaving the joke shop, walked past a Devise Banggi Gift Shop.

He suddenly recalled that Hermione had once brought him a beautiful Feather Pen from Hogsmeade as a gift.

So he also wanted to buy something to give Hermione.

As for why he didn't buy anything when he was with Hermione last time…

Don't ask; the answer is I forgot.

"Tsk~ I thought you wanted to give us gifts~"

Ryan deliberately pinched his throat and said sourly.

"If you want it so much, I'll give you a bottle of Gender-change Potion later."

John let out a light snicker.

While the few were bantering, Titus, who had been idly looking around, suddenly saw a familiar figure.

It was Hermione, who had been following Kruk Mountain all the way.

!!!

"No deal, there's murderous intent!"

Titus quickly grabbed each of them, hoisted Ryan and Ethan, and ran.

Meanwhile, John was still intently watching the various small gifts in the shop window, not noticing his good buddies had left him behind.

Hermione slipped behind John like that.

She was about to reach out and grasp the back of his neck, the seat of his fate.

But she suddenly heard John speak.

"Hey, what do you think of this little hourglass?"

"Although it's more decorative than practical, I think it's quite fitting for Hermione."

"And it says it can double as an alarm clock, perfect for someone like Hermione who loses track of time while studying, to remind her to rest more."

John pointed at a petite, exquisite silver hourglass in the window; inside swirled pale‑blue stardust, as if the whole galaxy had been captured in the palm of his hand.

Hermione behind him was stunned by John's words.

Is John picking a gift for her?

And also caring about her getting more rest…

"Oh right, Hermione is also cold‑sensitive; maybe give her a thick scarf."

John's fingertip, through the glass, lightly tapped the deep‑blue cashmere scarf—its stitches fine, the pile fluffy as if freshly rolled.

"Hmm, Hermione would definitely look cute wearing this."

Hermione's fingertip unconsciously curled, a faint pink and secret joy flitting across her face.

Kruk Mountain, which had been waiting at its feet for its master to champion its cause, tilted its head toward the master when the master hesitated.

Then it saw the sweet smile on the master's face.

Done, the love‑brained master definitely can't champion its cause now…